This week, GBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen discusses the appeal of the Kennedy children and two new films to chase the winter blues.
First Children: Caroline & John Jr. in the Kennedy White House on view at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum through Jan. 8, 2023
For the first time, the JFK Library and Museum has pulled objects out of its collection highlighting what life was like through the eyes of first children John Jr. and Caroline. With Caroline 3 years old and John Kennedy Jr, only 2.5 months old when John F. Kennedy first entered the White House, this presidency marked the first time since the Roosevelt era that Americans were able to identify with a young family.
As the public became fascinated with the "official children" of the White House, sending them literal truckloads of gifts, the museum highlights the challenges this presented for the first lady. "Jacqueline Kennedy kind of struggled with the public's voracious appetite for information about the children. And so we find these documents [...] where she asks that it be dialed back, that you give only the basic information," Bowen said.
While Jacqueline Kennedy wanted to limit the amount of eyes on her children, Bowen explained how they were also instrumental in lowering anxieties during diplomatic tension. "Sometimes literally, when she was out of town, President Kennedy would have the children come into the Oval Office because he knew what it represents. He knew when America was fearful for something like the Cuban Missile Crisis to have kids there, to see these cherubic faces, and kind of brought down the tension."
Svadba: Opera by Ana Sokolović streaming through Boston Lyric Opera’s operabox.tv beginning Jan. 29
The opera Svadba is by Serbian composer Ana Sokolović and features the a cappella voices of six female singers. While the opera would normally be presented on stage, the ongoing pandemic led to the creation of this cinematic experience co-produced by Boston Lyric Opera and Opera Philadelphia. The film is directed and choreographed by Shura Baryshnikov, with screenplay by Hannah Shepard.
Svadba takes viewers into the experiences of a bride-to-be on the eve of her wedding. "It really takes us into the moment, the many moments about the 24 hours before a wedding ceremony and the ancient rituals and traditions and emotions and everything that comes to the fore here when women are gathering for a very, very momentous occasion," Bowen said.
Riveted: The History of jeans premieres Feb. 7 on PBS’ American Experience
According to a new PBS documentary, half of the people on the planet are wearing jeans at any given moment. "Riveted" takes us into the history of jeans, from Africa's tradition of indigo dying to the clothing staple many wear today.
As Bowen explained, the cultural importance of jeans goes deeper than a fashion statement: "We think of denim and jeans as a very American thing. That's not necessarily the case, but it takes us through that history and also how jeans are frequently tied to social movements until the 1970s, fashion grabs hold of it, and it all changes."
You can learn more about this rich history on Feb. 7 when "Riveted: The History of jeans" premieres on PBS.
How is art getting you through the pandemic? Tell Jared about it on Facebook or Twitter!
